Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Year 7

Unit 1 – Exploring the UK

Many students tend to enter secondary school with little to no prior knowledge about Geography and the world in which we live in. In year 7 we prepare students for their Geography study by exploring The UK – starting with the school and Bicester before moving on to the whole of the UK. This unit also teaches students the key skills needed to understand the world.

Unit 2 – As cold as ice

A fascinating insight into the world’s most dangerous and deadly environments. We learn what makes these environments so extreme and the threats humans pose to them. We also look at how these amazing environments can be protected.

Unit 3 – India

This unit allows students to learn about the amazing physical and human geography of this country. Exploring India’s a range of issues such as Mumbai’s slums and its monsoon climate, this unit aims to open a window into one of the most diverse countries in the world.

Unit 4 – Rivers

This unit looks at river processes and features. It goes on to consider the causes, effects and management of floods in the UK

Unit 5 – Crime

This unit looks at the Geography of crime. Students will use their geographical skills to explore patterns and think about how we can use Geography to understand the causes, effects and solutions to crime in the local area and beyond.

Year 8

Unit 1 – 1 in 7 billion

With 7 billion people in the world (a population expanding every day!) it’s important to understand what affects the growth of the world’s populations. We also look at settlements, migration and jobs and employment within this dynamic fast paced topic.

Unit 2 – Weather Hazards

Hurricanes, tornadoes and other storms are some of the most powerful natural phenomena on Earth. This unit explores the causes and effects of these events in the Uk and beyond – before considering what we can do to reduce their effects.

Unit 3- Fair World

We live in a world where according to Oxfam 8 men own the same amount of wealth as the poorest 50% of the Worlds population. This unit explores the social and economic inequalities in the UK and beyond and thinks about how we should treat vulnerable groups around the world such as aboriginal populations

Unit 4- Global Futures

Climate change, water security and sustainability are amongst the major issues we will need to increasingly address over the coming years. This unit explores may of these urgent issues and considers how best we can tackle them.

Unit 5 Coasts

The summer term sees students study the coast. Students explore coastal processes and consider how we should manage our coastlines. This unit also provides the opportunity for students to visit the South Coast for a field trip and see first-hand these issues in real life.

Year 9

Unit 1: Am I a Fashion Victim?

In this unit, students explore the issues surrounding globalisation by exploring the fashion industry. Students consider why the fashion industry has become global and the winners and losers this has created.

Unit 2 Geographical Conflicts

Conflict is a concept at the heart of almost all geographical case studies. This unit explores a range of conflicts from local to global and asks how geography can help resolve them.

Unit 3: Natural Hazards

Building on the extreme weather unit in Year 8, this unit explores plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes. Students not only study some of the major disasters of the last few years but will understand why some natural hazards become disasters and what we can do to prevent this.

Unit 4: Sustainable Urban Environments (GCSE)

The final unit of Key stage 3 is designed to introduce students to the GCSE curriculum. Students will explore how sustainable Bicester’s urban environment is using fieldwork both within the school and in the local area.